Iran has firmly rejected the idea of temporarily halting its uranium enrichment to secure a nuclear agreement with the United States. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran would not accept freezing enrichment for three years, nor would it consider an interim deal as a step toward a final agreement. He emphasized that any negotiations must respect Iran’s rights and sovereignty. The fifth round of talks concluded in Rome without setting a date for the next session, as Iran awaits further details from the Omani mediator .
President Donald Trump described the recent talks as “very good,” but significant disagreements persist, particularly over Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and seeks relief from economic sanctions, especially on its oil sector. The U.S. insists on a complete halt to enrichment, a condition not included in the 2015 nuclear accord from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 .
The ongoing negotiations are complicated by regional dynamics, including the weakening of Iran’s allies like Hamas and Hezbollah, and pressure from U.S. Republicans on President Trump to demand Iran relinquish all enrichment capabilities .
Despite the challenges, both sides continue to engage in dialogue, with Iran reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy while defending its nuclear rights.